Related Content

Police said Michael Leblanc, 28, of Abington, appeared in court on charges including attempted murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

He was put on suicide watch prior to his court appearance, where he was held without bail and ordered to return to court next week.

The chase started shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday when a Walpole DPW worker noticed two suspicious cars parked on top of a man-made dam at Washington and Stone streets. Officers responded and Leblanc allegedly tried to drive away.

Sky5 flew over the pursuit as the Camry sped along Interstate 95/Route 128. Live video on WCVB and WCVB.com showed the car weaving in and out of traffic on the busy highway.

At one point, Leblanc swerved to avoid another vehicle in the breakdown lane, hit a barrier and spun out in the middle of the road. He recovered control and soon exited into Dedham, where the chase continued through a residential neighborhood.

Randi Satz/WCVB

“He was flying, doing 60 to 65 mph, and almost killed me,” a witness said.

Leblanc drove onto a sidewalk and across a bridge over the Charles River before eventually stopping at a Lumber Liquidators along the VFW Parkway in Boston. He exited the smoking vehicle and squeezed through a fence before the car burst into flames.

Officers continued to chase Leblanc on foot as he ran into an apartment building at 1459 VFW Parkway, where he offered residents money to let him into their units, police said.

Police apprehended him, and he was taken to the Walpole Police Department for booking.

Carmichael said it could have been an attempt at "suicide by police," because during the booking process, Leblanc “actually asked the officers what he has to do to get shot by the police.”

Crown suffered minor injuries and was taken to Faulkner Hospital for treatment.

“At the end, we are very happy that nobody was hurt. We are happy that Officer Crown is OK and that the suspect is OK,” Carmichael said.